Reality From the End of the Line to the Front

In this new paradigm, testing moves from the last line of defense for development to the front line of defense for the business users. It changes from testing to make sure the software runs to making sure the business does. Developers test software; testers test business processes.

This means the test cases and conditions are derived from the processes that have replaced the requirements. Testers do not verify that the order entry screen pulldown list of items is sorted alphabetically; they try to enter 100 orders in an hour. Granted, the sorting of the list may dramatically affect productivity if it is not alphabetized, but the focus is on how well the job gets done, not how well the development was done. The design has no meaning outside of its purpose: to support the process.

In this scenario, testers are not baby programmers hoping to graduate to real development. They are expert users, making sure that the business needs are served. Developers are not creative, temperamental artistes; they are professionals delivering a working product. The purpose of testing is not to break the system, it is to prove it.

What you need to know about… Project Management Made Easy! Project management consists of more than just a large building project and can encompass small projects as well. No matter what the size of your project, you need to have some sort of project management. How you manage your project has everything to do with its outcome.